This is what flight attendants can tell about you based on your seat choice

Are you a tried-and-true window seat person—or do you prefer the aisle?

Key Points

• Flight attendants say window-seat travelers are often focused on views, sleep, comfort, or a greater sense of control.
• Aisle-seat passengers typically value easy restroom access, mobility, and extra room to stretch during flights.
• Seat preferences are also influenced by factors like legroom, boarding position, overhead-bin access, and faster deplaning.

Ask any frequent flier about their seat choice on an airplane, and they’ll rattle off a half-dozen reasons they’re staunchly Team Aisle Seat or Team Window Seat. Some travelers even narrow down their preferences based on the aircraft type, route, or specific row.

While it may seem like a silly topic—everyone on board has the same destination, anyway—a seat pick can say a lot about the type of traveler you may be. At least according to flight attendants who make general, though often accurate, assumptions with their years of firsthand experience. 

Here’s what they had to say on the subject, including how to guarantee you’ll be seated in an area of the plane that will make you happiest and most comfortable. 

Travelers Who Choose the Window Seat 

“Generally speaking, sitting next to the window either means one of two things: you want to look at the scenery, or you want to sleep,” an anonymous Southwest Airlines flight attendant shared with Travel + Leisure over the phone. Since neck pillows often don’t provide enough cushion or support to snooze comfortably, a slight lean into a porthole will usually do the trick. 

“Someone in a window seat may also have control issues, and being close to the window makes them feel more secure,” another Southwest Airlines flight attendant added via email. “Looking out of a window can assist with claustrophobia.” 

Window seats, however, are the most popular, so it’s wise for people who don’t hold airline status to cough up the cash in advance to secure a spot instead of banking on luck during a travel day. 

Travelers Who Choose the Aisle Seat 

Aisle seat pickers typically don’t want to go through the annoying process of asking seatmates to get up so that they can use the restroom. 

“It’s also a good spot for those who want to walk, stretch, or move throughout a flight,” said the first Southwest Airlines cabin crewmember. “This is especially true for long-haul flights where some passengers may be prone to blood clots, muscle spasms, or cramps.” 

While it may make the most sense for taller passengers with longer limbs to choose these seats, resting their feet in the aisle is an accident waiting to happen. “Between people getting up to use the lavatory and flight attendants coming through with a drink cart or to collect trash, you run the risk of tripping someone, which can lead to a serious injury,” an Alaska Airlines flight attendant said via email.  

Other Seat Choice Factors

Some passengers don’t mind whether they have a window, aisle, or even a middle seat. Instead, the section of a plane takes precedence. 

“Seat choice is often driven by internal logic that isn't always shared with us. Some want the front for quick deplaning due to tight connections, others want Main Cabin Extra for the legroom, and some prefer specific areas of the plane to feel more at ease,” explained an anonymous American Airlines flight attendant via email. “A major factor is often the boarding group, as passengers want early access to overhead bins for carry-on luggage.”

Of course, emergency rows and bulkheads have extended legroom (sometimes at an additional cost), often attracting taller customers who may make an exception for an open middle seat in these areas. “We also assume that these passengers are smarter since they already know where they’ll get the most space and, ultimately, bang for their buck,” he added.

Seat-Picking Tips 

Should you find yourself in an unfavorable seat by mistake or circumstance, don’t expect a flight attendant to remedy the situation immediately. 

“Passengers generally have every opportunity to pick or switch seats until about an hour before boarding, depending on price and availability,” the American Airlines flight attendant stressed to T+L. “We are happy to move people if possible, with the exception of the exit row or Main Cabin Extra, but this is a luxury and should not be an expectation.”

The Alaska Airlines flight attendant echoed these sentiments, claiming it’s rare that she ever follows through with a request. “If someone is complaining that they don’t like their seat, then I usually just say sorry and move on,” she said. “These are people who are typically upset that they have to be in the back of the plane, but it’s not our fault that they didn’t purchase a seat.” 

To avoid annoying a flight attendant, download your airline’s app in advance to see if you can make changes yourself. If this tactic fails, approach a gate agent and politely ask if they can make a swap prior to boarding. 

If you’re traveling with children, however, the back of the plane may actually be your best bet at the time of booking. “There are typically less seats filled, which means more room for families to move about the cabin,” advised the first Southwest flight attendant. “Plus, the seats are usually cheaper if you have to pay in advance.”

Moral of the story: plan ahead, and don’t fly by the seat of your pants if you’re partial to a specific spot.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure